Scots Log Respectable Effort Against 20th-Ranked Battling Bishops

Newly-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University was in town on Tuesday evening, and The College of Wooster men's lacrosse team turned in a respectable showing during a 14-10 loss at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (4-4) was in control early, as the Scots led 3-1 at the 7:26 mark of the first period. Senior Shaun Peirce's fifth assist of the year led to an early tying goal from sophomore Ryan You at the 8:20 mark. First-year Jimmy Fisher, who won 17-of-25 faceoffs on the night, seized the momentum on the ensuing one, scooped up the groundball, and the Scots were off to the races, with classmate Vinny DiLeo tucking his 10th goal of the season past Ohio Wesleyan 'keeper Zach Brasser. Another quick Fisher win in the faceoff department kept Wooster surging ahead, with You netting his second goal of the game.

Ohio Wesleyan (7-1), ranked 20th in this week's United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association NCAA Div. III Poll, quelled that rally and mounted one of its own, as the Battling Bishops struck three times in a 95-second span. Will Anton's 25th goal of the season capped the blitz and gave Ohio Wesleyan a lead it wouldn't relinquish. In fact, Ohio Wesleyan was on the verge of running away with the contest in the second half and led by eight at 13-5 and 14-6.

Wooster's seniors dug in and put a stop to the rout-in-progress, with Peirce and Connor Mangan scoring twice apiece in the fourth quarter. On the defensive end Bryce Danovskis got in on the rally with a big caused turnover at the 10:41 mark. Wooster's defense kept Ohio Wesleyan off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, a stanza in which the Battling Bishops mustered up just five shot attempts.

DiLeo led Wooster's offense with a four-point night on two goals and two assists. Mangan, Peirce, and You scored twice each. Fisher scooped up 13 of Wooster's 28 groundballs, while long-stick first-year Casey Steffen added five. Sophomore Adam Meyer did his part with a career-best 16 saves.

Jack Daman and Whit Stopak's three goals marked the game-high, while Sean Gellen dished out four assists. Charles Schooler led the Bishops' defense with six groundballs and three caused turnovers.

Ohio Wesleyan outshot Wooster 52-35 and finished with a 40-28 edge in groundballs. The Battling Bishops went 21-of-22 on clears, with Wooster turning in a respectable 16-for-21 line.

The two teams are set to play again on Saturday at Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m.